Kane Co. Board keeps sheriff's officers - and budget deficit - in place
The Kane County Board voted Tuesday to maintain the current number of sheriff's deputies, but the question of where the county will make cuts to avoid a deficit for the second straight year remains unanswered.
For months the board has searched for ways to trim the budget midyear, including a proposed $1.3 million cut to the sheriff's budget. To help get there, the number of sworn officers would be trimmed by three to 87. That plan also banked on a highly competitive federal grant coming through in September to fund at least three - and up to eight - sworn officer positions.
On Tuesday Sheriff Pat Perez withdrew his support for the reduction to 87 officers, citing the uneasiness of counting on the federal grant coming through. Perez asked the board to trust his history of making budget and in his knowledge of how many officers are needed to keep the public safe.
"If I've had the self-discipline to stay at 90, I don't understand the logic to cut me to 87," Perez said. "I'm very disappointed that providing public safety has become such a political football."
Board member John Fahy said 87 is the number Perez agreed to in budget discussions, with the understanding no officers would be laid off to get to 87.
The board voted 12-11 on a resolution to keep the number of officers at 90. (Board members Bonnie Kunkel, John Hoscheit and Phil Lewis were absent.) The final version of the resolution also forces Perez to use any federal grant money to fund no more than 90 sworn officers.
Perez said he expects only one officer to retire through the county's buyout plan. Perez also expects a grant would fund at least three officers. The board must approve any increase since it would be on the hook to fund new salaries when the grant money dries up in three years. Or, Perez can use the grant as a way to meet the budget cut the county board imposed on him.
No board asked Perez how he'll cut his budget if there is no grant. Perez previously told reporters he does not yet have a plan to cut his budget if the grant fails to materialize.
Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay repeatedly told board members Tuesday allowing Perez a pass on cutting his budget means cutting other departments even deeper or bouncing checks at the end of the year.
"At the end of day, you've got less tax dollars than you had before, and you have to make tough decisions," McConnaughay said. "The only other way is to blow through every last dime that we have."